Crane operated rotation monitor

ABSTRACT

A crane operated rotation monitor includes a means to transduce mechanical rotation to electrical energy and means to transduce the electrical energy to mechanical rotation. An indicator rotates in correlation with the crane rotation thereby providing a visual monitor of the crane position. Means are provided to actuate warning lights to indicate danger zones. An alarm alerts the crane operator of a dangerous position of the crane. Additional means are provided to test a positive functioning of the warning lights and circuits.

0 Muted States Patent m1 [1 11 3,760,401 Tallon 1 1 Sept. 18, 1973 [54]CRANE OPERATED ROTATION MONITOR 3,156,907 11/1964 Lanning et a1. 340/198[76] Inventor: Harry Tallon, 37 Pompton Rd.,

Haledon, N 07508 Primary Examiner-David L. Trafton Attorney-James J.Cannon [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 130,914 [57] ABSTRACT Acrane operated rotation monitor includes a means to if 3" 3m/267 340/ 26 1 24 5 transduce mechanical rotation to electrical energy and d C 198means to transduce the electrical energy to mechanical 1 0 l 2 2 69rotation. An indicator rotates in correlation with the l l cranerotation thereby providing a visual monitor of the crane position. Meansare provided to actuate warning [56] References cued lights to indicatedanger zones. An alarm alerts the UNITED STATES PATENTS crane operatorof a dangerous position of the crane. 1,937,375 11/1933 Woodward 340/198X Additional means are provided to test a positive func- 3,638,2ll1/1972 Sanchez 340/267 C tioning bf the warning lights and circuits.2,858,070 10/1958 Scharff 340/267 C 3,489,293 1/1970 Sallow 340/267 C 7Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED8EP18'975 3,760,401

sum 1 or 4 INVENTOR. f/mQ/Qy 7 11.40 i,

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PATENTEDSEH s m saw u 0F 4 INVENTOR. H/m y 73 a? v Arfo/e/yey CRANEOPERATED ROTATION MONITOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionpertains to a rotation monitor suitable for cranes. Construction cranesoften must operate at locations within close proximity of buildings andelectrical wires. In these situations it is essential that means areprovided to monitor the rotation of the crane boom and to providesuitable warning to the crane operator.

Another situation where monitoring the rotation of the boom isadvantageous is in a situation where concrete is being poured and thecrane operator doesnot have a clear view of the pouring point and. mustreturn the crane boom to the same location many times.

Prior art methods of monitoring and controlling a crane boom haveutilized a system involving a plurality of contact points which are usedto energize indicator lights in correspondence to each of the contactpoints. This system requires many contact points to approach continuousmonitoring of the crane boom. Furthermore, no warning signal is providedto alert the crane operator of an impending danger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a means to monitor therotation of a crane boom and means to warn the crane operator of theentrance of the boom into preset prohibited zones.

As the crane cabin rotates to bring the boom into position, a gearfollows the rotation and through a gear reduction box the cabinrotationis correlated to a mechanical rotation which drives atransmitting synchro. The electrical output of this transmitting synchrois conducted to a receiving synchro where the electrical signal istransduced to mechanical rotation. The transduced mechanical rotationdrives an indicator and a pair of bi-directional dual actuating cams.

These cams are preset with regard to prohibited zones left and rightwith respect to the front of the crane. Two sets of microswitches arepositioned so that the cams actuate the microswitches in accordance tothe preset danger zones. The microswitches energize warning lights andan alarm upon prohibited rotation of the crane boom.

The alarm system comprising the microswitches warning lights and alarmis provided with a means to test the operational status of the warningsystem without actually having to rotate the crane boom.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a means to monitora crane boom and provide warning lights when the crane boom enters apreset region.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety mechanism forcontrolling and monitoring the rotation of a crane boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a remote monitoring meansfor a crane operated rotation monitor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means to indicate theposition of crane drive chains with respect to the crane boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means to indicate thecrane truck chassis with the respect to the crane boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a crane operated rotationmonitor which can be tested to determine the operational status of thewarning lights and alarm.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the'inventionhas been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and isshown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specificationwherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified form of the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the indicator with theface removed;

FIG. 3 illustrates a section cut of the indicator of FIG. 2 along theline of 11-0;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of the indicator in FIG. 2 along theline b-b;

FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the indicator cams;

FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment for the indicator face; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the electrical system forthe indicator; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment of the coupling toa crane.

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall subsystems and relevant components for,the preferred embodiment of the invention. Cabin 1 rests on thestationary turntable 2 and rotates about stationary bull gear 3. Thecrane operator, not shown, ordinarily operates from within cabin 1.Engine 4 provides the drive power for the overall operation of thesystem comprising cabin 1. The output from engine 4 is coupled to pulley5 which drives a generator 6 through pulley belt 7. The output ofgenerator 6 or inverter 18 is ordinarily a 115 volts alternating currentand is used to power the electrical drive portion of the invention. Themechanical output of engine 4 is coupled over to reverse clutch 8 andhorizontal reversing shaft 9 in a manner well known in the art.

The mechanical force from clutch 8 and shaft 9 connect to the drivepinion gear 10. The drive pinion gear 10 causes platform I l to rotateabout bull gear 3. Rotation of cabin 1 results in a correspondingrotation in pinion gear 12.

The rotation of pinion gear 12 is coupled through shaft 13 to the gearreduction drive 14. The purpose of gear reduction drive 14 is to providea proper relationship between the actual rotation of pinion gear 12 andthe input required for the subsequent portion of the system. If, forexample, it was desired to use the present invention on a variety ofcranes having different types of bull gears it is convenient andnecessary to have a means to adapt each crane bull gear to a correlatedsystem input.

A spiral bevel gear unit 15 is used to take the output from reductiongear drive 14. Spiral bevel gears 15 is attached to synchro transmitter17. Synchro transmitter 17 is well known in the art. The power requiredfor synchro transmitter 17 is obtained either from inverter 18 orgenerator 6 on line 19. The input for the inverter 18 is obtained fromcrane engine's battery 12 v. DC which is not shown.

The output from synchro transmitter 17 is conducted along leads 20 tosynchro receiver 21 which is connected through a 90 drive unit 22 intoindicator 23.

Rotational inputs to synchro transmitter 17 result in rotational outputsto synchro receiver 21 which is coupled through 90 drive 22 to shaft 24inside indicator 23. The internal composition and organization ofindicator 23 is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Bidirectional dualactuating cams 25 and 26 are mechanically attached to shaft 24 by nut27. Spacers 28 and 29 are also used on shaft 24. Die spring clutch 30permits cams 25 and 26 to be preset in relative positions to each otherwhile causing earns 25 and 26 torotate with the rotation of shaft 24.

Selectro arm 31 is mechanically connected to cam 26 and selectro arm 32is mechanically connected to cam 25. The arm to cam angle in bothinstances is 90.

Microswitches 33, 34, 35, and 36 are positioned so that micro-rollers37, 38, 39, and 40 are actuated by the relevant cams 25 and 26.

For example, if cam 25 were rotated clock-wise from the positions shown,it is evident from FIG. 4 that portion 41 would actuate micro-roller 38before portion 42 actuated micro-roller 37.

Green light 43 is used to indicate operation of the crane within a safezone. Clockwise motion into a danger zone would first energize amberlight 44 and then red light 45 within an accompanying portable warningsignal. correspondingly, counter clockwise motion into a danger zonewould energize amber light 46 and then red light 47.

FIG. 6 illustrates the display which would appear on dial 48. Theoperator can tell from dial 48 such things as his crawler assembly.

Dial 48 is marked in 4 sections of 90 so as to simplify the reading ofboom direction with respect to the crawler front direction.

The mechanical operation of indicator 23 is related to the electricalwiring as shown in FIG. 7 and an understanding of the operation ofindicator 23 may be obtained by considering an example.

Suppose cam 26 were preset with locator 31 at 50 clockwise in operationas long as cabin 1 were operating within a safe zone, green light 43would be energized. As cabin 1 turns clockwise within the safe zone andapproaching the unsafe zone amber light 44 would be energized by cam 26at about 22 95 before the preset 50 mark by cam portion 49. The angle 2215 arises from the particular design selected for cam 26. Cam portion 48would then lift microswitch 36 due to roller 40 and thus put green light43 out through normally closed relays 58 and 59 by breaking the contactat the normally closed (N.C.) position of microswitch 36.

During the same interval this action in microswitch 36 makes contact atthe normally open (N.C.) position of microswitch 36 causing current topass to the common (C) pole of the right hand microswitch 35 and henceto the normally closed position of microswitch 35. This in operationpasses current to amber light 44 through flasher 50 which gives aflashing to amber light 44.

Additional clockwise rotation of cabin 1 of about 17 55 and before thepreset 50 to the right will cause cam portion 51 to make contact withroller 40 which causes the opening of the normally closed portion ofmicroswitch 35 and the closing of the contact at the normally openposition of microswitch 35. This results in current to amber light 44having terminated and at the same time current is passed to red lightand through normally open relay 52 power is supplied to alarm 53.

The combination of the illuminated red light 45 and the portable alarm53 should give wholly satisfactory warning to the crane operator or toany other person who has indicator 23 electrically coupled to cabin 1.There is, of course, no reason why indicator 23 can't be locatedremotely since this is readily possible in view of known art.

The electrical system for indicator 23 is provided with a means fortesting the operational status of the electrical components andconnections. Push buttons 54, 55, 56, and 57 are normally open andprovide a means to test the operational status of amber lights 44, 46,red lights 45, 47 relays 52 flashers and alarm 53. Switch 60 provides 12V.D.C. power to the system and power indicator 61 and dashlight 62 areavailable for the operator.

A crane operated rotation monitor is suitable for a wide range ofapplications involving the use of a boom in situations requiring meansby which to monitor or warn a crane operator of potentially seriousdanger. Another application for the present invention is where concreteon a super structure is done blind.

FIG. 8 presents an alternate preferred embodiment for obtaining theconversion of rotational force into electrical energy. Here, synchrotransmitter 17 is mounted on the rotary frame 1 l with bolts 71 andshaft 72 is attached to stationary turntable 2 by means of bolts 73.Rotation of rotary frame 11 causes synchro transmitter 17 to rotateabout the relatively stationary shaft 72 so that appropriate electricalsignals are generated and transmitted to synchro receiver 21.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 is simple and easily adapted to a wide range ofapplications.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all atter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising;

a. means to generate a first rotationalforce correlated to the rotationof the crane boom including a pinion gear and a gear reduction box;

b. means to transduce said first rotational force into electricalsignals continuously;

means to transduce said electrical signals to a second rotational force;

d. an indicator responsive to said second rotational force;

e. first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams axially mountedwith said indicator including a die spring clutch separating said cams;

f. first and second switches responsive to said first cam;

g. third and fourth switches responsive to said second cam; and

h. warning lights including circuit means responsive to said switchesand said second rotational force.

2. The monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicator indicatesthe drive chain position with respect to boom position.

3. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising:

4. The monitor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means to transducecomprises a synchro transmitter attached to one part of said crane and asynchro transmitter input shaft mounted to another part of said crane sothat rotation of said boom results in relative motion of said synchrotransmitter with respect to said shaft.

5. The monitor as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means to testsaid warning lights.

6. The monitor as claimed in claim 3 comprising an alarm actuated bysaid second and fourth switches.

7. The monitor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and secondbi-directional dual actuating cams are adapted for preseting.

a: a; a a a

1. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising: a. means to generate afirst rotational force correlated to the rotation of the crane boomincluding a pinion gear and a gear reduction box; b. means to transducesaid first rotational force into electrical signals continuously; meansto transduce said electrical signals to a second rotational force; d. anindicator responsive to said second rotational force; e. first andsecond bi-directional dual actuating cams axially mounted with saidindicator including a die spring clutch separating said cams; f. firstand second switches responsive to said first cam; g. third and fourthswitches responsive to said second cam; and h. warning lights includingcircuit means responsive to said switches and said second rotationalforce.
 2. The monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicatorindicates the drive chain position with respect to boom position.
 3. Acrane operated rotation monitor comprising: a. means to generate a firstrotational force correlated to the rotation of the crane boom; b. meansto transduce said first rotational force into electrical signalscontinuously; c. means to transduce said electrical signals to a secondrotational force; d. an indicator responsive to said second rotationalforce; e. first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams axiallymounted with said indicator; f. first and second switches responsive tosaid first cam; g. third and fourth switches responsive to said secondcam; and h. warning lights responsive to said switches.
 4. The monitoras claimed in claim 3, wherein said means to transduce comprises asynchro transmitter attached to one part of said crane and a synchrotransmitter input shaft mounted to another part of said crane so thatrotation of said boom results in relative motion of said synchrotransmitter with respect to said shaft.
 5. The monitor as claimed inclaim 3, further comprising means to test said warning lights.
 6. Themonitor as claimed in claim 3 comprising an alarm actuated by saidsecond and fourth switches.
 7. The monitor as claimed in claim 3,wherein said first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams areadapted for preseting.